SEATTLE — He was hesitant at times. Unsure of himself, perhaps,
in a new environment during another new test.

Marcus Mariota then looked as cool as ever during Oregon's game-changing
drive to open the third quarter Saturday night at CenturyLink Field.

The redshirt freshman quarterback, making his first start
away from the comfortable confines of Autzen Stadium, led No. 2 Oregon on an
18-play, 76-yard touchdown drive to bring momentum back in the Ducks' favor en
route to a 51-26 victory over Washington State.

"It was pivotal for
us," Mariota said of the Ducks' longest drive of the season. "We got them on
their heels."

It was the Ducks who were on their heels for most of the
second quarter. After Oregon (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) built a 20-3 lead in the first
quarter, the Cougars (2-3, 0-2) stormed back to pull within 23-19 late in the
second.

The Cougars then stormed into the locker room after stopping
the Ducks on third down to end the first half.

Mariota had one first-half interception, and the UO
offensive line appeared plagued by communication issues and errant snaps during a stalled second
quarter.

"There were a bunch of play there to be made (when) I thought
he was not the main issue," UO offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said. "We
just gotta clean that up."

The Ducks were efficient to start the second half. Mariota completed
8 of 10 passes on the 18-play drive, connecting with six different receivers.

"We talked about it (at halftime that) that first drive was
doing to be real key for us," UO coach Chip Kelly said. "I think everybody
contributed and made plays."

Mariota dived out of bounds to pick up a first down at the
WSU 1, and three plays later De'Anthony Thomas ran in from 4 yards out to cap
the drive with a touchdown, extending the Ducks' lead to 30-19.

"All I gotta do is get the ball out and they'll make
plays," Mariota said. "That's what my mentality needs to be: just get those guys the ball.
Sometimes I try to do too much."

Mariota finished 21-of-32 passing for 169 yards with one
touchdown and two interceptions. Freshman tight end Pharaoh Brown, the intended
receiver, fell down on Mariota's first interception; on his second interception,
he tried to force a throw to freshman Bralon Addison.

"The second one, I probably should've moved on in the
progressions. ... I'm learning from it and I'm just going to get better," Mariota
said.

He also rushed nine times for 56 yards and a touchdown.

"For me, it was a fun atmosphere to be away for the first
time," he said. "To get the boos, that was a little different. But that's a
little motivation and for me it was fun."